Bottle carrier



May 25, 1954 c. J. BALLATO ET AL 2,679,328

BOTTLE CARRIER Filed July 18, 1950 7 sheets-sheet 1 Fig.1-

5 5 i 4, 7 f6 70 z 9 5, INVENTORS CARLOJ.BALLATO PATRICK E KEARINS BY THEIR ATTORNEYS W /7wm/ May 25, 1954 c. J. BALLATO ETAL BOTTLE CARRIER 7 Sheets-Shegt 2 Filed July 18, 1950 INVENTORS /0.9 CARLO J.BALLATO PATRICK F KEA BY THEIR ATTORNEYS y 25, 1954 c. J. BALL/m5 ET AL ,679,3 8

BOTTLE CARRIER .Filed July 18, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS CARLO J,BALL.ATO PATRICK E KEARINS BY THEIR ATTORNEYS y 1954 c. .1. BALL-ATO ETAL ,679,328

BOTTLE CARRIER Filed July 18, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS CARLOJBALLATO PATRICK E KEARINS BY THEIR ATTORNEYS May 25, 1954 c. J. BALLATO ET AL 2,679,328

BOTTLE CARRIER Filed July 18, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 "INVENTORS CARLO J. BALLATO /57 PATRICK F. KEARINS BY THEIR ATTORNEYS h ww4bm1/ y 1954 c. J. BALLATO ET AL 2,679,328

BOTTLE CARRIER Filed July 18, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 i Ill Z4 I V 7/4 //6 //7 I LZQ I 125 LZQ Wd W y 1954 c. J. BALLATO ET AL 2,679,328

BOTTLE CARRIER Filed July 18, 1950' 7 Sheets-s 7 /50 MW: 0%, /M are/p up CARLO J. BALLATO PATRICK E KEAR'NS BY THEIR ATTORNEYS Patented May 25, 1954 T QFFICE BQT'KLE CARRIER Carlo .l. Ballato and Patrick F. Kearins, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application July 18, 1950, Serial No. 174,462

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to apparatus for carrying and handling a plurality of bottles simultaneously, and is more particularly directed to a device for removing a group or" bottles from a compartmentalized case or carton.

It is customary practice for empty beverage bottles to be returned to the bottler so that they may be cleaned and refilled for subsequent distribution. This of course, requires the bottles to be removed from the standard cases and then moved to a convenient location for the ordinary sequence of washing and refilling operations. I-Ieretofore this removing operation has been performed manually and considerable time has therefore been lost due to the fact that one individual cannot carry in his hands more than four bottles at a time. As is well known, the standard cases hold twelve to twenty-four bottles, thus at least three or six trips are required by one individual in order to empty one case. Even though the case may be positioned directly alongside a conveyer belt, it will still be apparent that considerable time is required to empty a case of bottles manually. Furthermore, there is always some breakage incident to manual removal of the bottles.

The present invention is directed to a lightweight, simple, inexpensive device by which the operator can in one motion remove all the bottles from a beverage carton and deposit them simultaneously on a conveyer belt or at any other desired location. The device is characterized by a plurality of inverted funnel shaped guides for the tops of the bottles, together with toggleactuated claws for each funnel which grip the bottle necks when properly positioned in the The framework of the device includes controls and operating structure for the claws as well as means for stripping the carton or case from the bottles in the event that it does not fall away from the group of bottles as soon as they are lifted.

A primary object of the invention therefore, is to provide a simple, lightweight device for simultaneously grasping a plurality of bottles by the neck, whereby the bottles may be transported in a suspended condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved control means for actuating the claws of a bottle handling device.

A. further object of the invention is to provide stripping means for a bottle handling device, whereby the bottle case may be quickly removed from the bottles when they are suspended in an elevated position.

A further object is to provide a bottle carrier having improved electrical means for suspending a group of bottles therefrom.

A further object is to provide a bottle carrier having improved pneumatic means for suspending a group of bottles therefrom.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved fluid selector valve for a pneumatically operated bottle carrier.

Further objects will be apparent from the specification and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspectiveof an improved bottle handling device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the structure of Fig. 1, shown just before removing a group of bottles from a bottle case;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating the action of the strippers;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section as seen at ii-ll of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section as seen at 55 of Fig. l;

6 is an enlarged fragmentary section as seen at 5-% of Fig. 4, showing the upper portion of the structure with the cover removed;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of one of the guide and claw assemblies partly broken away;

Fig. 8 is a top view of the structure of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail showing the operation of one of the claw assemblies and the hand lever for retaining the jaws in an open position;

Fig. 1G is a perspective of a modified form of a bottle handlin device;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional detail as seen at ll-li of Fig.10;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic showing of the connections for the fluid actuating cylinders and control valve;

Fig. 13 is a side View of an improved six-way fluid control valve especially adapted for use with the structure of Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section as seen at i llti of Fig. 13;

Figs. 15-17 show the interior of the valve structure of Figs. 13 and 14 in various operating positions;

l8 a perspective of the valve rotor;

Fig. 19 is a section as seen at 59-!9 of Fig. 18; and

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary sectional detail as seen at 29-28 of Fig. 16.

The present device comprises essentially the provision of twelve cone-shaped inverted guides which are diametrically slotted to permit lateral movement of a pair of claws therethrough. The claws and guides are supported on a framework which is vertically movable with respect to the handle structure of the device so that such vertical movement actuates the claws in accordance therewith. In one form of thedevice, we employ a pneumatic cylinder for effecting the aforesaid relative movement. Another form uses a solenoid for the same purpose.

In addition to the above relative movement for actuating the claws, the framework also carries four vertically reciprocating plungers which upon proper operation of a switch or valve, are caused to move downward to strip the case.from the bottles after they have been supportedxby the claws and framework.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1-9, a bottle handling apparatus'in accordance with the present invention having; electrically actuated claws and strippers, comprises-a pair of-siderails which serves as hand'gripsZEand 2%. The weight of the apparatus, as well as the weight'of-the bottles; is supported on grips and 25 through stationary frame members 27 and 28 'whichare secured to the grips by means of nuts 29, 29. Frame'members 2? and 28 extend upwardly and centrally to form a substantially rectangularsection 36 to which there is welded a U-shaped supporting bracket 31 (Figs. 4 and 5). The actuat ing solenoid 32 for the claw assemblies 33, 33 is secured to the bottom of bracket 3! by means of rivets 34, 34. Likewise, the bracket 31 is rigidly secured to an inverted transverse channel 35 by means of rivets 36 (Fig. 6). Braces 3i, 3? likewise connect section 36 to channel 35 and are secured thereto by means of nuts 38,v 38. Channel 35 forms the-central supporting member for three longitudinal stationary shafts 40, 4| and 42 which are anchored therein andwhich provide the upper support forthe claw assemblies 33, 33. Shafts 40, M and 42 journal the upper links 63, 43of the tongs i -for eachclaw assembly 33. Suitable collars or spacers 45, Q5 of various lengths are used on the shafts between the upper links 113,- 43. The center shaft 4| is extended at either end and is anchored in the grips Hand 25 .(as shown in Fig. 5) This completes the description of .all the relatively stationary structure which is immovably secured to the grips.

The reciprocating framework compriseslower transverse channel frame members 50, 5D to. which there are attached three longitudinal channels 5!, 5!, 5! as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Channels 5 l iii are substantially in alignment with the rows of bottles 52, 52 when. in a compartmentalized case 53. A lower housing orcover 54 is secured to transverseanglemembers 55, 55, as shown in Fig. 5. Shafts 56, 57 and 53 are mounted in housing 54 and these shafts also-provide the lower pivoting connection for lower links 59,

59 of tongs it. Spacing collars 60, 60 may also be used between the links 59 in a manner similar to the spacers 45 on shafts .042.- Vertical frame members 6!, 6E and 62, 62 form upright extensions for channels 5|, 5! and the vertical members 6! are slotted at their upper ends to receive-shafts it and 42 and to permit vertical reciprocation with respect to the shafts. It will be noted from Fig. 4 that the center upright frame member 62 terminates below the center shaft 4|, whereas the end frame members BI and,

62,:are extended. The-construction at the..op-

rim..80 of. the bottles, and, in

4 posite end of the device is identical to that shown in Fig. 4.

The movable armature 63 of solenoid 32 is pivotally attached to aplatform 64 by means of a pin 65 (Fig. 4). Platform 64 is mounted on and moves with transverse angle frame members 66 and 67 through four braces 68, 88. Frame members .66 and 67 are secured .to the other framework through the lower housing 54 to which they are riveted at 89, 69, and the intermediate housing;v i6 is likewise secured to the lower framework at this point. Upper housing H forms a continuation of intermediate housing 19 and is readily removableby means of machine screws l2, 12. It will thus be understood that the housings and the framework are all movable as a unit with platform'fifi and that the grips 25, 26 together with theirassociated framework, are held stationary insofar as the rest of thewapparatus is concerned.

Referring now to Figs. 7-9, the lower part of each claw assembiytt' comprises an inverted conical.'shaped funnel '55 "which is secured along members 5i, 5|

the under surface of frame (shown in Fig. 4). i5 is reverse rolled at at diametrically opposite portions i1, llas shown in vFigs. 7 9; Linksi 59 of the tongs assembly extenddownwardly and are provided withjaws 58,.18'whieh have semicircular arcuate recesses oppositely disposed to each" other. When the claw. assembly isin the gripping position (as shown. .infull. lines in '7), jaws'lfl; .18 are tightlyengaged 'unde'rneath'the flared neckTS of the-bottles 52.. shape and movementof th claw ssemblies is such that .in the event the operator fails toen gage'thejaivs 53, it under nevertheless. catch. under just. as effectively.

Vertical relative movement between the movable .i'ramework and :the stationarystructure or framework that is. integral with the grips, raises shaftsiie,v 51. and .ESQwhich in turnclose the claws simultaneously in all the guides l5, :5 sincethe longlinks 55,535 .are pivoted at 85,. 8i in juxtaposed relationship .torthe short links 43, 53. This vertical movement may be achieved in two ways; first, when solenoid .32 .is energized, and second, when..1e'-Jers B5,. B5 are actuated. pivoted onupper shaft ii andare located at either end .thereof.. where they may be convene ientl-y reached by the operator. lhe device is so designed. that the upper movable framework constitutes=by far.thegreaterproportion of the total.

weight, so that when the operator lifts grips 25 and-26300 raise the device, the claws have tendencyto-close-dueto the weight of themovable framework.-. raises themovable framework through links 86, 86 which are pinned to the lever at 8?, 8'! at one end,-.,and=:to the shaft-5'! at their. other end. Therefore, when theoperator desires to position the carryingapparatusover agroup, of bottles ina case, he ordinarily .holds the claws open by depressing both levers 9). As soon.

as -thecarrier. has been placed .over the bottles with the claws opened, the operator releases levers 85, 85 and then closes switch. 88- whichenergizes solenoid 32, thus locking the jaws around the bottlenecks. With-thesolenoid still energized,.the.

operatorsthen; .raisesthe carrier i to extract .the set. of: bottles from the case.53.

In the event that there is any tendency for the The lower edge of the funnel l6 and the funnel is slotted It willbe unclerstoodthat the" the fiare l9, they will the uppermost annular this. event operate Levers 85 arev Depression. oflevers 85, 35'

case 53 to adhere to the bottles, the operator then closes switch 89 which energizes solenoid 96 to actuate the four strippers SI, 9!. Solenoid 93 is mounted on brackets 92 and 93 which are in turn secured to platform I54 by means of rivets 94, 94. The armature 35 of solenoid 33 is provided with two elongated slots 96, 96 that carry pins 9'5, 37 secured to the ends of actuating arms 98, 38 (Fig. 6). Arms 98 are pivoted to brackets 93, 99 at IE3 and in the normal unenergized position the arms extend outwardly and upwardly at about 45. Both arms 93, 93 are resiliently retained in this at rest position by means of helical extension springs IilI, IBI which are anchored to brackets I32, I32. The outer ends of arms 33, 98 are slotted at I33, I03 and carry rollers I34, I94 which are retained by means of U-shaped clips I85. I35 and screws I33, I33. Each roller I34 carries a tie red It! which is adjustably secured to the upper end of the stripper shafts 9i, III by means of nuts I35, I38. The opposite of stripper shafts 3I, iii are provided with star-shaped abutments I 33, I33 which are positioned and shaped to engage the usual sections or compartment walls H3, H in the case It will thus be understood that when solenoid 93 is energized, the stripper rods 31!, ill journaled in frame members 61 and 53, push the case 53 and compartments III! away from the suspended group of bottles.

When the case has been completely disengaged from the bottles, the operator (with solenoid 32 energized to lock the claws) then transports the carrier and bottles to the location where the bottles are to be deposited. In order to release the bottles, it is only necessary for the operator to open switch 88 and lift the carrier vertically upwards. Ordinarily, the weight of the bottles is sufiicient to spread jaws 13 enough to clear the bottle necks. However, to insure that the jaws are open, the operator may if desired, depress handles 85, 85 to completely open the claws.

We have found that a smaller and lighter weight carrier assembly may be made if the soleholds 32 and 33 are replaced with one or more pneumatic cylinders. In this way, the overall height of the carrier may be reduced and the levers 85, 85 and switches 88, 89 may be eliminated. Fig. shows such a carrier and it will be understood that the framework and claw assemblies are identical to that previously described in conjunction with Figs. 1-9. In this form, we provide a pneumatic cylinder IE5 which is secured to platform 34 by means of machine screws H6, H6. The piston III in the cylinder H5 is secured to a piston rod H8 that is pinned to upwardly disposed ears H9, H9 of bracket 3i by pin I23. The bottom cylinder head I2! of cylinder H5 is attached thereto by means of screws I22, I22 and provided with a suitable port I23 connected to an airline fitting I24. In a similar manner, the upper cylinder head I25 is provided with fitting I23. It will thus be understood that vertical movement of the piston II? with respect to cylinder II 5 provides the same clamping action in the claw assemblies that was described in conjunction with solenoid 32.

The stripper shafts Sla, Illa in the modified form are somewhat shorter and extend into pneumatic cylinders I33, I39, I), are attached to pistons I35, I3I. Cylinders I33, I33 are mounted at their bottom ends to frame members 63 and 61 and are supported at their upper ends by means of brackets I32, I32 which are riveted to platform 64 at I33, I33. The upper I 33 in which they 6 ends of cylinders I 33, I 30 are connected to header I34 through conduits I35, I35, whereas the lower ends of cylinders I30, I30 are connected to header I36 by conduits I31, I31. A modified housing Ila encloses these cylinders and their associated structure, as shown in Fig. 10.

An important feature of the pneumatic embodiment of our carrier resides in the single, multi-port selector valve I43 whereby the entire sequence of operation is performed using only three positions of the valve control lever I4 I. Beferring now to Figs. 12-20, selector valve I43 is provided with four radially disposed ports I42, I43, I44 and I45. Port I42 is connected to header I34 through conduit I49 and fitting I 4211. Port I43 is connected to header I38 through conduit I43 and fitting I43a. Port I44 is connected to the top of cylinder II5 through conduit I4? and fitting him, while port I45 is connected to the bottom of cylinder II 5 through conduit I48 and fitting NM.

The stator or housing I39 in which ports I42, I43, I44 and I43 are located also journals a barrel or rotor I5I (Figs. 18 and 19). Rotor I5I has an actuating shaft I 52 to which the lever I4! is connected by means of a set screw I53. The rotor is spring-loaded by means of a torsion spring I54 anchored to one of the screws I55 which secures cap I56 to the stator. Rotor I5I is provided with six radial ports I53, I 58, I59, I64, IIiI and I62, all of which communicate with a central chamber I53 in the rotor. In addition to the above six long radial ports, the rotor is also provided with four short radial ports I64, I35, I66 and I3? which provide axial communication with four ports I53, I33, I'IIJ and I'II in the end wall I53a of stator I53. Ports i33-III permit venting of the five cylinders in accordance with the position of rotor 53!, through chamber I32 and vent I73. Fluid pressure for actuating all of the cylinders is supplied from some external pressure source (not shown) and a suitable regulator if desired. From thence the fluid is carried to valve I43 through a flexible hose I74 attached to fitting I75 on cover I78. Chamber I63 is in communication with flexible hose I14, as shown clearly in Fig. 14.

From the foregoing description of the opera tion of our bottle carrier, it will be understood that when the operator is ready to place the carrier on a set of bottles in the case, the strippers I39, I99 should be elevated and the claws 33 opened. This of course, means that pistons I3I, I3I as well as piston II? should all be raised in their respective cylinders I33, I33 and I55. Spring I54 automatically positions rotor I-iI and lever I4! to connect the various ports and conduits for raising all the pistons, as shown in Figs. 12-15. In this case, conduit I43 communicates with the exhaust chamber H2 and vent I13 through ports I42, I37 and IE3. Likewise, conduit I41 communicates to the exhaust chamher I I2 through ports I44, I66 and Ill). Pressure to the bottoms of all the cylinders is supplied through air hose I14 and chamber I83. Pressure to raise pistons I3I in stripper cylinders I33, I3!) is supplied through ports I3I, I 43 and conduit I43. Pressure to raise piston III in cylinder I I 5 is supplied through ports I58, I 45 and conduit I48. For the above setting, the rotor is turned counterclockwise against stop Ill (Fig. 15).

As soon as the operator has positioned the carrier over a set of bottles, he then depresses lever I4I to the intermediate position shown in Fig. 16. Since this is only a temporary setting of -the .valve, a;click detent H8 is .securedzytof-a Collar. I19 is; mounted on shaftrI52-and secured theretorby;

The detent I18 -.turns collar I19 by screws I'I9a, II9a.

means-of set screw I80. with collar I'I91and the intermediate valve-posi-- tion is detected when the detent registers with.

notch IBI. Likewise the collar controlsbcth extreme positions by meansv of abutments which alternately contact stop Ill. In the intermediateposition, the pistons I3I, I3I and-cylinders means of pressure through ports I62, I43; con. duit I46, and-venting of conduit I49:through ports I42, I64 and 68. The claws however, are: actuated when pressure is introduced to the top; of cylinder II5throughconduit MT, ports lfl I59, and chamber I63; Likewise, the bottom of; cylinder H5 is vented through conduit I43; ports I45; I65 and I69 (Fig. 16).

With the claw assemblies tightly .closedzaround the bottle necks, the operator lifts the'bottles out ofithe case 53. In the event that it'is necessary to strip the case from the bottles, theoperator turns valve handle I41 .to its fully: depressedi position, in which the stop il'l is againstrthe abutment I82 (Fig; 17). In this .position,.-. the

chamber I 53.

inders I30, I36 are connected to the fiuidpressure source through conduit I49, ports hi2, I57, and chamber I63; cylinders I30, I30 are vented through conduit I46, ports I43, I61, and HI.

As soon as the case 53 has position of course, may be detected'when thede' I4! to permit the spring I54 to return the rotor to the initial position of Fig. 15, thus holding the strippers in the raised position and opening the claws.

Since the carrier is intended to be used in a' relatively limited range, it is entirely possible to support the carrier, if desired, on anoverhead' chain or cable which may be suitably counterbalanced. In this way, the operator is not required to lift the weight of the carrier overthe bottles. The electrical lead for the solenoids or Conversely, the bottoms of been removed from the set of bottles, the operator may, if he wishes, release handle MI until the rotor I5I returns tothe intermediate position shown in Fig.16. This 10 I32 are retained at-the top of the cylinders-by;-

the flexible-conduit I'll-are provided with sum-- cient slack to permit ample movement over the desired operating distance.

It will thus be understood that we have provided a bottle carrier which is extremely lightweight and simple to manufacture. The use of this carrier permits greatly increased efliciency in handling sets of bottles simultaneously, and in addition is less fatiguing to the operator.

While the shape and dimensions of the carrier disclosed herein are intended primarily for removing twelve beer bottles from a case, it will be understood that the number and size of the claws and guide may readily be modified so that bottles of soft drinks, which ordinarily are shipped twenty-four in a case, as well as milk bottles, may be handled.

Having thus described our invention, we claim: A bottle carrier assembly comprising a rela-.

tively stationary framework, a pair of hand grips secured to said stationary framework, a second. framework. movably mounted on said stationary framework, a plurality of inverted funnelshaped guides mounted on the bottom of said movable framework, walls defining diametrically oppositertransverse'slots in said guides, a plurality of claw assemblies transversely movable through said slots in each of said guides for engaging the neck of an object when said object is inserted in the guide, a fluid responsive actuator operative upon relativemovement of the frameworksto open and close said claw assemblies, four verti-- cally reciprocating shafts journaled onsaidmov able framework and extending below the guides, a star-shaped foot on each of said shafts, a;fluid'. selector valve mounted. onone of said.hand grips, and fluid connections from said .valve' to.

eachof said fluid responsive actuators.

leferenccsCitefi in the file of thi patent:

UNITED STATESPATENTS Number Name Date 386,677 West July 24, 1888 1,058,193 Mulholland Apr. 8, 1913 1,808,689 Stenhouse et a1. June 2, 1931 1,898,393 Rickers Feb. 21, 1933. 2,162,233 Schonenberger Jan. 13, 1939" 2,332,058 Cattonar et al. 1 Oct. 19, 1943 2,358,447 Creamer Sept. 19, 1944 2,400,542 Davis 1- May 21, 1946' 2,442,827 Schmidt June 8, 1948 I 2,452,927 Hammen Nov. 2, 1948- 2,525,572 Woody et al. Oct. 10, 1950 2,547,929 Dawson Apr. 10, 1951 2,578,912 Waters Dec. 18, 1951 2,597,387 Seidel .et a1 May 20, 1952 2,609,109 Ardell Sept. 2, 1952 

